Author: Bob Aberle
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/12
Page Numbers: 63,64,65,66
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Model Aviation Library, electric CL, decals, soldering station, and cements

Follow-up to Q547

Earlier in the year a reader asked, “Is there a place I could go where I could look up all the past questions and answers published in your FAQ column?”

I answered this at the time by mentioning the new AMA/Model Aviation archives that will now be known as the Model Aviation Library. The system has been in development for many months. As I write this, it is running on a trial basis.

This new system will contain scanned copies of the pages of every Model Aviation issue published from its start in July 1975 to the present. The system will allow you to search for specific issues, articles, columns, and even aircraft by name. I had indicated in my April column (Q547) that as soon as the system was fully online, I would explain how you could search for the various “Frequently Asked Questions” columns that I have written throughout the past eight years.

I contacted one of the individuals involved in the development and operation of the new Model Aviation Library, Chad Budreau, who is AMA’s multimedia editor. This is what Chad had to say to me:

“Bob, the Library will be up and running in the fall of 2012. At that time the system will only be available to AMA members and will require the use of a user ID name, as well as a password. This will enable AMA members to search every published issue of Model Aviation and will give them the ability to make copies of any article for their own use.”

Chad went on to say that by the time you read this column in the December issue of Model Aviation, the system will be fully operational. To search for my columns, reviews, model designs, and features, type “Bob Aberle” into the search box. Place my name in quotes to improve the search results. Without quotes, the Library will find all articles with the name Bob and/or Aberle. By placing “Bob Aberle” in quotes, it will only find results with my full name.

Members can also type “Frequently Asked Questions” into the search box to view my columns. Readers can fine-tune the search by adding text. If a reader types “Frequently Asked Questions CA Cement” into the search box, the results should show “Frequently Asked Questions” columns about CA cement. There will be a learning curve, but Chad is available to help if you need it. He would also like to hear from readers who have good results with this new system.

Q562

I remember a few years back you mentioned the accomplishments of retired MA Editor Bob Hunt, flying electric-powered CL models in competition. Is Bob still pursuing electric power? Is he still competing? Bob had indicated that he was going to manufacture and market accessory items for electric flight. Does he now have any products to offer?

A562

This question provides me the opportunity of bringing you up to date on what AMA Hall of Fame member and International CL Stunt champion Bob Hunt has been doing. Bob competed in the 2012 AMA Nats in Muncie, Indiana. He is still actively competing, and using electric power exclusively. Bob is presently flying his own design, called the Crossfire Extreme. This airplane has 650 square inches of wing area, weighs 62 ounces, and is powered by an E-flite Power 25 brushless motor and a four-cell 4000 mAh LiPo battery pack. Bob got into a five-way flyoff at this year’s Nats. Interestingly, another of the five finalists, Paul Walker, was also using electric power. Bob placed third overall. His final flyoff flight was recorded on a wonderful YouTube video (see Sources). I urge you to look at that amazing video.

Bob is now beginning to produce a line of electric power accessory items. His first is a CNC-machined front motor mount plate. It is machined from .093-inch-thick G-10 material, which is an extremely tough and crush-resistant epoxy/fiberglass laminate. This plate can accept electric motors from the E-flite Power 15 up to the Power 32. More products will be added in time.

Bob also offers most of the construction material necessary to build your own Crossfire Extreme. This includes all the specially cut foam cores for the wing and stabilizer. You can find the details for all of this at Robin’s View Productions; the address and contact information are in the Sources section.

Follow-up to Q550

Andy Reynolds read my FAQ concerning the use of black self-adhesive contact shelf paper to make simulated windshields and windows on our aircraft. I pointed out where you could obtain this contact paper.

Andy went a step further. He has been designing his own decals on his computer and then inkjet printing them onto full sheets of self-adhesive label paper that he obtains at Walmart or Staples.

Andy prints on white label paper. His computer printer supplies the necessary colors.

Andy allowed me to supply his email address if you need help making your first decals.

There are many applications for this kind of homemade decal. You could make simulated windows and affix them to your airplane. Various insignias for scale models should prove easy, but be careful on license numbers. They need to be cut out and then placed on the model. That could prove time consuming, but the process is worth trying.

Q563

Since reading in your column about lead-free solder, I have been on the lookout for a soldering iron with a variable temperature control that won't break my bank account. Any suggestions?

A563

I believe the first ones I looked at were nearly $200, which is expensive for a soldering iron. I recently came upon a Tower Hobbies product called the TrakPower TK-950 Soldering Station. It sells for $80. It has a maximum output of 60 watts.

The temperature can be selected continuously from 392°F to 896°F. This is perfect for regular lead solder as well as the new lead-free variety. A support stand is provided for the iron.

The iron comes with a chisel point, fine pencil tips, and a cleaning sponge. At this price it is a good deal!

Follow-up to Q552

In my August 2012 "Frequently Asked Questions" column, one subject concerned how to thin thickened CA cement with acetone, along with using acetone to keep the tips clear (unclogged). I was surprised how many comments I received about this topic.

Several cement experts responded saying that using acetone to thin CA cement was a no-no! Acetone is the solvent you used to use when you managed to glue yourself to your workbench. Mixing it with CA cement could possibly prevent the CA from ever curing.

Using acetone to keep the CA bottle tips clean is okay, provided that you thoroughly dry the tip before using. Blowing the tip out with an air gun or air can is a good idea.

One reader suggestion was to thin CA cement that had gotten thick by simply using thin CA. I haven't tried this, but I suspect it can't do any harm. But the bottom line here is to use some common sense. If you are building a model that is worth hundreds of dollars, throw out any CA that you feel has gone beyond its shelf life. A new bottle of CA will cost a lot less than that aircraft.

One interesting suggestion came in from reader/member Dawson Gillaspy. He is so sensitive to CA cement odors that he can't use it in his shop. As an alternative, he uses a cement called Super 'Phatic.

It is similar to thinned-down carpenter's glue. It comes with a metal applicator tip that can be kept clean by immersing the tip in water. I obtained a bottle of this cement from Horizon Hobby. A 50-milliliter bottle costs approximately $9. I've listed the website in the Sources section.

Besides being odorless, this cement has two interesting properties. It takes roughly 30 minutes to cure and it sands easily. I found it especially helpful when applying doublers to a fuselage side. The set-up time with Super 'Phatic allows you to easily move the doubler into the exact position before the cement cures.

This is one application I'm definitely saving this cement for. When cured, this cement has a slight orange tint to it, similar to Ambroid cement. It's worth a try.

Hardened CA cement can be difficult to properly sand. I found that when applying my top and bottom fuselage sheeting to the sides, the medium or thin CA doesn't penetrate well because it cures so fast. After that, sanding becomes nearly impossible.

I finally asked an expert for help.

Charlee Smith of Bob Smith Industries suggested using Insta-Flex, a flexible, thin, low-odor CA cement, and to kick off the application with Insta-Set accelerator.

I tried this and found it excellent for this kind of application. The CA penetrates quickly and deeply. When hitting it with the accelerator, nothing bubbles out on the surface. After curing, it is easy to trim the sheeting with a knife followed by sanding. I hate to sound commercial, but you should try this.

Bob Smith Industries has an interesting fact sheet titled "Using Cyanoacrylate and Epoxy Adhesives." It describes approximately a dozen different cements offered for various hobby applications. You can obtain a copy of this booklet from the BSI website, which I have listed in the Sources section.

SOURCES:

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.